Strap indicator

Abstract

The invention is an indicator means on a strap to provide a means of showing when slack in the strap is removed and/or tension is applied to the strap. The strap is secured with respect to an object at one end and to an anchor point at the other end and the indicator means shows visually that the strap has at least had all slack removed therefrom and where the indicator means is arranged to provide an indication from both sides of the strap to allow a visual indication of tension regardless of which direction the strap extends away from the object.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An indicator means on a strap, wherein the strap is secured to a child safety seat at one end and to an anchor point at the other end; and
 wherein the indicator means shows that the strap has at least had all slack removed therefrom by revealing an indicator portion of the indicator means when the indicator portion passes through an aperture in the child safety seat due to the strap being extended, wherein the indicator portion is disposed on opposing sides of a same portion of the strap and provides an indication of tension from both sides of the strap regardless of whether the strap extends to the anchor point and away from the child safety seat positioned on a vehicle seat in a forward facing position or a rearward facing position. 
 
     
     
       2. The indicator means according to  claim 1  further including an elastic member which has ends of the elastic member secured to the strap so that a bite of the strap loops between the ends of the elastic member, the elastic member acting to pull the indicator portion out of view when no tension is applied to the strap but which allows the indicator portion to come into view once tension is applied to the strap. 
     
     
       3. The indicator means according to  claim 2  wherein the indicator portions are a colour different to the colour of the strap. 
     
     
       4. The indicator means according to  claim 1  wherein a head end of the safety seat has a slot on each side through which the strap passes, wherein the tension indicator portions are configured to be within the head end of the child safety seat when no tension is applied to the strap and move out past the aperture and into view when tension is applied to the strap. 
     
     
       5. The indicator means according to  claim 1  wherein a head end of the safety seat has a slot on each side through which the strap passes, wherein the tension indicator portion is configured to move from an out of view position behind a back rest portion of the child safety seat and pass through the aperture in the child safety seat adjacent the to the back rest portion due to the strap being extended to allow the indication of tension from both sides of the strap. 
     
     
       6. The indicator means according to  claim 1  further comprising an elastic member secured to the strap to form a bite in the strap that extends between ends of the elastic member, the elastic member acting to pull the indicator portion through the aperture in the child safety seat and out of view into a space behind the back rest portion of the child safety seat when no tension is applied to the tether strap. 
     
     
       7. The indicator means according to  claim 1  wherein strap is secured to the child safety seat at a securing location behind a back rest portion of the child safety seat,
 wherein the indicator portion is disposed in a space behind the back rest portion of the child safety seat and between the securing location and the aperture when no tension is applied to the tether strap. 
 
     
     
       8. An indicator means for a child safety seat for positioning within to a motor vehicle, the indicator means comprising:
 a tether strap secured to a head end of the child safety seat and configured to be secured to an anchor point, wherein the tether strap extends from both sides of the head end of the child safety seat to the anchor point; 
 a first set of tension indicator portions on both sides of a first portion of the tether strap and a second set of tension indicators portions on both sides of a second portion of the tether strap, wherein the tension indicator portions move between a concealed position when no tension is applied to the tether strap and a revealed position when tension is applied to the tether strap thereby extending the tether strap and causing the tension indicator portions to pass through a first aperture in the child safety seat to be revealed; 
 a first elastic member secured to the tether strap form a first bite in the tether strap that extends between ends of the first elastic member, the first elastic member acting to pull the first set of tension indicator portions through the first aperture in the child safety seal and out of view when no tension is applied to the tether strap; 
 a second elastic member secured to the tether strap to form a second bite in the tether strap that extends between ends of the second elastic member, the second elastic member acting to pull the second set of tension indicator portions through a second aperture in the child safety seat and out of view when no tension is applied to the tether strap; and 
 a slide disposed on the tether strap between the first elastic member and the second elastic member, the slide being configured to secure the tether strap to a backrest of the child safety seat; 
 wherein the tension indicator portions are configured to be visible:
 when the tension indicator portions are in the revealed position and the child safety seat is positioned on a vehicle seat in a forward facing position, and 
 when the tension indicator portions are in the revealed position and the child safety seat is positioned on a vehicle seat in a rearward facing position. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The indicator means according to  claim 8  wherein the tension indicator portions are positioned on the tether strap on both sides of the child safety seat. 
     
     
       10. The child safety seat in accordance with  claim 8  comprising the indicator means. 
     
     
       11. The child safety seat in accordance with  claim 8  comprising the indicator means, and wherein the tether strap extends from both sides of the head end and exits both sides of the head end via the first aperture and the second aperture in the head end. 
     
     
       12. An indicator means for a child safety seat for positioning within a motor vehicle, the indicator means comprising:
 a tether strap secured to a head end of the child safety seat and configured to be secured to an anchor point, wherein the tether strap extends from both sides of the head end of the child safety seat to the anchor point; and 
 a tension indicator means disposed on the tether strap, wherein the tension indicator means shows that the tether strap has at least had all slack removed therefrom by revealing an indication when the indication passes through an aperture in the child safety seat due to the tether strap being extended, wherein the tension indicator means is disposed on opposing sides of a same portion of the tether strap and provides the indication from both sides of the tether strap; 
 wherein the indication is configured to be visible:
 when the tether strap has at least had all slack removed therefrom and the child safety seat is positioned on a vehicle seat in a forward facing position, and 
 when the tether strap has at least had all slack removed therefrom and the child safety seat is positioned on a vehicle seat in a rearward facing position. 
 
 
     
     
       13. An indicator means according to  claim 12  wherein the tension indicator means is positioned on the tether strap on one side of the child safety seat. 
     
     
       14. An indicator means according to  claim 12  wherein tension indicator means is positioned on the tether strap on both sides of the child safety seat. 
     
     
       15. An indicator means for a child safety seat for positioning within a motor vehicle, the indicator means comprising:
 a tether strap secured to a head end of the child safety seat and configured to be secured to an anchor point, wherein the tether strap extends from the head end of the safety seat to the anchor point; and 
 a tension indicator means on the tether strap, wherein the tension indicator means shows that the tether strap has at least had all slack removed therefrom by revealing an indication when the indication passes through an aperture in the child safety seat due to the strap being extended, wherein the tension indicator means is disposed on opposing sides of a same portion of the tether strap and provides the indication on both of the strap to indicate tension regardless of whether the tether strap extends to the anchor point and away from the child safety seat positioned on a vehicle seat in a forward facing position or a rearward facing position.